AEB - awaiting NI number and claiming UC

Hi Steve

As far as I'm aware, AEB learners won't *error* without an NINO? It's only Apprenticeships where it's mandatory from the start for the ILR.

So I' be relatively to happy to start the learner and collect it later...

Thanks for the quick response Steve, the learner would only be with us for a few weeks so quite likely that the NI number wouldn't be received whilst they are still with us which is why we tend to treat the field as mandatory for these learners and not just our Apprentices...

I'm fairly certain the ILR specification has always stated that NINOs are mandatory if a learner is in receipt of a benefit or they are an apprentice- not sure about the ILR error side tho.

Just out of interest, why do they not have a NINO? 

Hi both,

Just a quick update, response from the ESFA is:

"You are correct that NI numbers are required for learners on active benefits as per the ILR Specification:

ILR Specification 2021 to 2022: Field: National Insurance Number (submit-learner-data.service.gov.uk)

During the pandemic, when there was a backlog with the issue of NI numbers by HMRC, the error was reduced to a warning. This has now been returned to an error. If there is an error present, the learner will not pass validation and the funding for the learner will not be created by the system."

@Kelly from what information I have the learner came from Zimbabwe and has an ARC card stating they claimed asylum so I guess this has something to do with them not currently having an NI number. Hopefully it will come through soon and they already have a job so at least it's not holding them back for that, just sounding like we won't be able to fund through AEB...

Steve

Interesting, I didn't think Asylum Seekers were allowed to work, or claim benefits - they normally receive NASS. Are you sure they haven't been granted permanent stay like ILR for example?

Yeah, that response is wrong though, it's only Apps where the ILR will error, there's only two possible validation rules for NINO, first is a format thing (so it has to be QQ111111Q) second only applies to FM36...

Interestingly, some asylum seekers can work, if it's on the shortage occupations list, but if they've successfully applied for UC, it's far more likely that the learner's asylum claim has now been processed and they have another status.

Steve is correct as when I checked yesterday while it does state NINOs are required for those in receipt of active benefits it also states further down the page on the ILR spec that its only compulsory/mandatory (cant remember which terminology it used) for apps.

HI we recently went through an PFA audit and it was flagged in their PDSATS sample checks for a few AEB learners on UC without a NINO. We had already identified the learners from our own PDSATs reports and created a funding justification statement for the evidence packs. This was enough to satisfy the auditors. 

Thanks

Chris